The South Carolina Gamecock football team will open the 2026 at home on Sept. 5 against Kent State. Gamecock fans will see a familiar face on the sideline, as South Carolina's mascot, Cocky, will make the season opener feel official.
Just weeks before Cocky makes his 2026 season debut, Cocky was given a prestigious honor, as he was named into the class of 2026 Mascot Hall of Fame on Friday. The announcement was made live-on air during a "Good Morning America" segment:
SPREAD THE NEWS!@Cocky2001 is being inducted into the MASCOT HALL OF FAME 🤩 pic.twitter.com/FjbM6USP9h
— South Carolina Gamecocks (@GamecocksOnline) August 7, 2026
Cocky joins four other mascots given the honor, which wasn't just limited to collegiate mascots. The others who were inducted include the Bringham Young's Cosmo, the University of Minnesota's Goldy Gopher, Mrs. Met from the New York Mets and Miles from the Denver Broncos.
Cocky is one of college sports' most beloved mascots. The first costume debuted in 1971, when an undergraduate biology student, John Nelson, started attending South Carolina games in "The Rooster" costume. But the modern version of Cocky that we see today didn't come along until 1980, during South Carolina's Homecoming Game. The first-ever person to put on the costume was Robert Lane, and Cocky was adopted as the school's official mascot ever since.
One of the coolest parts about Cocky is that students keep their identities as the mascot secret until revealing it at graduation:
“Being Cocky is more than just donning a suit and having a good time as a college student,” former Cocky mascot Jamie Ballentine said via South Carolina. “It’s being a living part of what the Gamecock spirit really is. We’re loyal, we’re passionate, we show up. Cocky embodies that spirit.”
Cocky already has several awards in its trophy case. In 1986, the Universal Cheerleading Association, Ford Motor Company, and American Airlines named Cocky the United State's first “National Mascot.” Also in 86, Cocky won the UCA National Mascot Championship, winning one in 1994 as well. In 2003, Cocky also captured Capital One's National Mascot Championship in 2003.
Per the school's official release, there are expected to be several celebrations for Cocky over the next few weeks, with Cocky set to make additional appearances, as well.
Congrats to Cocky on the well-deserved award!
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